Tubular electrical heating unit



March 22, 1949. G. DE GELLEKE 2,465,208

TUBULAR ELECTRICAL HEATING UNIT Filed April 30, 1947 3 Sheets-Shet l Gerrii De GeLZe/ie March 22', 1949. G. DE GELLEKE 2,465,208

TUBULAR ELECTRICAL HEATING UNIT Filed April 50, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 22, 1949 G. DE GELLEKE 2,465,208

TUBULAR ELECTRICAL HEATIFNG UNIT Filed April 50, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet s 30 Q6 16 GGI'I'it De 662118.58

w v W Patented Mar. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TUBULAR ELECTRICAL HEATING UNIT Gerrit De Gelleke, Troy Hills, N. 3., assignor of one-third to Peter De Gelleke, Asbury, and onethird to Carl Herzog, Belleville, N. J.

Application April 30, 1947, Serial No. 744,966

8 Claims. 1

My invention relates to tubular electrical heating units.

Important objects of the invention are to provide means for preventing the freezing of water in pipes and the resultant bursting of the pipes, to establish one or more liquid outlets, to cause all heat generated by the resistance cable to be absorbed without loss by the surrouundin liquid, to provide liquid outlets and unit extensions, at any place, without disassembling the existing unit, to protect the resistance element by the surrounding tube from external damage, and to protect all liquid in the system against freezing since there are no cold or unheated spots.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tubular electrical heating unit which is flexible and may be readily formed into the desired shape.

A further object of the invention is to provide a unit of the above mentioned character which may be readily connected with a companion unit for increasing the overall length of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for connecting branch pipe or pipes with the tubular unit between the ends of the unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for connecting one tubular unit with a companion tubular unit, between the ends of such companion tubular unit and arranging such units generally at right angles to each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide tubular electrical heating units which are of simple construction, easy to install or assemble and practical in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide tubular electrical heating units so constructed that when they are connected or assembled, their resistance wires may be easily connected in circuit with a source of current.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of tubular electrical heating units embodying my invention, showing the same installed within a poultry house.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view, showing a circuit connected with the units of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic View showing another assembly of tubular electrical heating units and associated circuit,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of one tubular electrical heating unit,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a side elevation of two tubular electrical heating units arranged in longitudinal relation and connected at their ends,

Figure 8 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8, parts in elevation.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of a tubular electrical heating unit and a companion unit arranged at right angles thereto and connected therewith,

Figure 11 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 12 is a transverse section taken on line I2-l2 of Figure 11,

Figure 13 is a transverse section taken on line [3-13 of Figure 11,

Figure 14 is a perspective View of one of the end couplings.

Each tubular electrical heating unit comprises a pipe l5, shown in all figures but see most particularly Figures 4, 5, and 9. This pipe is preferably formed of copper and is sufficiently stiff so that it will tend to hold its shape, when formed into a desired shape, but is suificiently flexible so that it can be bent into the desired shape. pipe [5 may be formed of other suitable flexible material.

Secured to the opposite ends of each pipe I 5 are tubular couplings [6 which are elongated and are provided at their inner ends with openings I! for receiving the ends of the pipe I5 which are soldered therein. Each coupling l6 has a longitudinal bore l8, in communication with a transverse bore l9, which is preferably tapered and internally screw threaded. The bore I9 may be closed by a removable plug 2|]. Each coupling i6 is provided at its periphery with a transverse web or plate 2|, carrying knuckles 22 having openings 23. The web 2| is integral with the coupling l6 and extend transversely thereof and The has an outer flat face 24 for engagement with the corresponding face of a companion web 2|. Each coupling I6 is provided at its outer end with a tubular gland 25, internally threaded for receiving a tubular threaded plug 26 having an outer head 21, provided with flats for convenient turning by means of a wrench or the like. Disposed inwardly of the tubular gland 25 is a transverse web 28, having a contracted opening 29. Suitable Packing 30 is arranged within the gland 27 to be compressed by the plug 26.

Extending longitudinally within and through each pipe l and held in'more or less concentric spaced relation therein is an electric heating cable 3|. This heating cable is preferably of the type made and sold by General Electric Company, although other forms of electric heating cables may be used. This cable comprises an outer lead sheath 32 within which is arranged a varnished cambric insulation tube 33, holding a felted asbestos insulation tube 34, through which passes the resistance wire 35, Figure 9. This heating cable is of course flexible. The ends of the heating cable pass through the tubular plug 28 and are clamped in the gland by. the resilient packing 30. The heating cable extends outwardly beyond the tubular plugs 25, as'shown.

It is thus seen that each tubular electrical heating unit comprises a flexible pipe, the couplings at its. ends, and the resistance cable extending through the pipe and couplings. The pipe and the cable are flexible so that they may beformed into. the desired shape. When one coupling I6 is not connected with a companion coupling. its bore I9 will be closed by the plug 20.

I provide a coupling 36, to be applied to the pipe I5 between its ends. This coupling 36 comprises companion blocks or members 31 and 38, Figure 6, having circularly curved recesses 33 formed in their meeting faces, and these assembled circularly curved recesses areadapted to receive thepipe I5 and compressible packing 40 is preferably arranged within these recesses to form a liquid tight joint with the pipe I5. The block 38 has a boss 4|, having a tapered screw threaded opening 42, which is preferably tapered to receive the tapered screw threaded end of a short branch outlet pipe 43, equipped with a valve 43' or the like. The opening 42 leads into an inner-opening or bore 44, to register with an opening 45, which is cut in the pipe l5, if the coupling 36 is to be applied thereto. The blocks 31 :and138 are'clamped together by bolts 46 passing-through openings formed therein, as shown.

It may be desired to connect one tubular electrical heating unit with a companion'unit, between the ends of such companion unit and arrange the units at right angles to each other. I provide a coupling 41 for this purpose, Figure 12, and this coupling comprises blocks or sections 48 and 49 connected by bolts 50. The meeting faces ofthese blocks have semi-circular recesses 5|, to receive the pipe !5 and packing 52-is arranged betweenthe pipe and the blocks, to provide a liquid tight joint. The block 49 is provided with a transverse threaded opening 53, preferably of the same size as the opening I9 and adapted to be coveredby the plug 20, if desired. The opening,53'wil1. lead into an opening 54 cut in the pipe-I5, when the coupling 41 is applied to this pipe. When the coupling 41 is applied to the pipe [5, Figures lO'and 11, the companion pipe I5 is arranged above and at right angles thereto, and the coupling I6 at the end of the companion pipe is placed upon the top of the coupling 41 and the web 2I engages the top face of the block 49 and the opening I9 registers with the opening 53. The coupling I5 is therefore clamped to the upper block 149 by bolts 55, passing through the openings 23 in the knuckles 22 and tapped into the block 49 as shown at 55. Packing may be arranged between the faces of the block 49 and web 2|, if desired. Each pipe I5 carries the end couplings l6, Figures 10 and 11.

It is obvious that any suitable number of couplings 33 may be applied to the pipe I5, between its ends, and the same is true with respect to the couplings 41.

Referring now to Figure 1, it will be seen that a tubular electrical heating unit including the pipe I5 has the major portion of its length arranged within the first story of the poultry house 57 and the coupling I 6 at its intake end is arranged beneath the ground level and is connected with a water supply pipe 58, engaging within the screw threaded opening IS. The water supply pipe 58 is arranged beneath the surface of the ground for a suitable distance to prevent freezing and the exposed portion of this pipe is short and the water in this short portion will be heated sufficiently to prevent freezing. The coupling I 5 at the opposite end of the pipe I 5 has its opening I 9 closed by the plug 23. The pipe I 5 extends from the lower story into the upper story and has been bent into the desired shape or form. As illustrated in Figure 1, two branch couplings 36 have been applied to the lower horizontal portion of the pipe l5 and one branch coupling 36 to the upper horizontal portion, and short outlet pipes 43, Figure 6, connected with the couplings 36. The short pipes 43 are arranged to discharge the water to desired points which may be into receptacles or troughs 59. As shown in Figure 1, a main branch coupling 47 is applied to the lower horizontal portion of the lower pipe I 5, and a pipe I5 of the companion electrical heating unit arranged at right angles to the lower vpipe I5 and connected therewith through the medium of the couplings I5 and 41', Figures 10, 11 and 12. The companion upper pipe I5 may extend into the upper story of the building and the coupling IG'at its opposite end has its opening closed by the plug 25. The upper pipe I 5 is shown as equipped with a branch coupling 35, having the short outlet pipe 43, and discharging into the trough 59 or the like, as heretofore explained. The upper pipe I5 has its lower portion bent into turns to take up the length of the same but this pipe may be bent into any desired shapeor form.

I will now describe the circuit used in connection with the arrangement of tubular electrical heating units shown in Figure 1. Line wires 60 and BI lead into a junction box 52. A wire 63 is connected with the wire 60 and has a thermostatic switch 64 connected therein. This switch is in thermal contact with the lower pipe I5. The switch embodies a stationary contact 65, and an upper movable bimetal contact 65. When contact 66 engages contact the circuit is closed. A second wire 61 is connected with the upper end of the resistance wire 35 of the other,

pipe I5 is connected witha wire 1|, connected with the wire 61 at I2 while the opposite end of this resistance wire 35 is connected with a wire 13, connected with the wire 63, at M.

In view of the foregoing description, it is thus seen that the water will be supplied to the tubular electrical heating units and as soon as the temperature of the water drops to a selected degree, such as slightly above the freezing point, the thermostatic switch will close and current will be supplied through the resistance wires 35, which are connected. in parallel. lfhese resistance wires will heat the water so that its temperature will be brought slightly above the freezing point, at which time the thermostatic switch opens and cuts off the current.

I also contemplate arranging two or more of the tubular electrical heating units It in longitudinal relation, forming a long pipe of any desired length. Two of the units are shawn connected in this manner in Figures 7, 8, and 9, although any suitable number may be connected. The companion couplings It at the ends of the pipes l are connected, and one coup-ling is inverted so that the flat faces of the webs 2! are brought into contacting relation. If desired, compressible packing may be arranged between these flat faces. The webs 2| extend transversely of the couplings I5 and these webs are connected by bolts 15, Figures '7 and 8. Water is supplied into the coupling H3 at the free end of one pipe l5 and will be discharged from the coupling l6 at the opposite end of the companion pipe l5 or this coupling may have its opening closed by the plug 20 in the event that it is provided with other outlet or outlets.

In Figure 3, I have shown three of the pipes I5 connected and arranged in longitudinal relation. The same wires 60 and 6| are provided and wire 63 is connected with wire Bil and wire 61 is connected with wire 6!. The same thermostatic switch 64 is connected in the wire 63. In this circuit corresponding ends of the resistance wires 35 are connected with wires 16, connected with the wire 63 at T! while the opposite corresponding ends of the resistance wires 35 are connected with wires 18, connected with the wire 61 as shown at 79. It is seen that the several resistance wires are connected in parallel and when the thermostatic switch 64 is closed, current will pass through the same to heat the water.

While the liquid heating pipe units are shown as installed in a poultry house, it is of course to be understood that this has been done solely for the purpose of illustration as these devices may be used in any desired manner for suitably heating liquids.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described should be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. Tubular electrical heating units, each unit comprising a flexible pipe, couplings extending longitudinally of the flexible pipe and mounted upon the opposite ends of such pipe, each coupling being provided with a transverse web having bolt receiving openings, each coupling having a transverse opening extending through the web, a tubular packing device mounted upon the outer end of each coupling, a flexible heating cable arranged within the flexible pipe and held within the packing devices, the heating units being arranged to extend longitudinally of each other with the web or" the coupling of one unit coacting with the web of the coupling of the other unit, and bolts to secure such webs together.

2. Tubular electrical heating units, each unit comprising a flexible pipe, couplings extending longitudinally of the flexible pipe and mounted upon the opposite ends of such pipe, each coupling being provided with a transverse web having bolt receiving openings, each coupling having a transverse opening extending through the web, a tubular packing device mounted upon the outer end of each'coupling, a flexible heating cable arranged within each flexible pipe and held within the packing devices of each pipe, the flexible pipe of one heating unit being provided between the couplings at its ends with an opening, a two part coupling having recesses to receive the flexible pipe having the opening, one part Of the two part coupling having a transverse opening in communication with the opening of the flexible pipe, one heating unit having the transverse web of one coupling arranged adjacent to the two part coupling and having its transverse opening in communication with the transverse opening of the coupling part, and bolts extending through the openings in the last named transverse web and engaging the last named coupling part.

3. A tubular electrical heating unit, comprising a flexible tube provided between its ends with an opening, couplings mountedupon the opposite ends of the flexible tube, a flexible heating cable arranged within the flexible tube and couplings, and a split coupling including parts having recesses to receive the tube, one part having an opening for communication with the opening in 40 the tube. the split coupling having means for connection with a pipe which communicates with the opening of said part.

4. Tubular electrical heating units, each heating unit comprising a flexible pipe, couplings mounted upon the opposite ends of the flexible pipe of each unit, a flexible heating cable arranged within the flexible pipe of each unit and extending through the couplings, the heating units extending longitudinally of each other and. the end coupling of one unit being mounted upon the end coupling of the other unit, wires connected with the opposite poles of a source of current, wires connected with corresponding ends of the cables and with one of the first named wires, and wires connected with the opposite ends of the cables and with the other first named wire.

5. A tubular electrical heating unit, comprising a flexible pipe for receiving water or other liquid, tubular couplings mounted upon the ends of the flexible pipe and extending axially thereof and receiving the water from the flexible pipe, transverse webs formed upon the tubular couplings and contiguous therewith and having contact faces and extending beyond the opposite sides of the couplings and provided near their ends with bolt receiving openings, the transverse w bs having water receiving openings which lead into the bores of the tubular couplings and pass through the contact faces of the webs, a flexible heating cable extending through the flexible pipe and tubular couplings, and adjustable tubular packing devices mounted upon the outer ends of the tubular couplings and receiving the flexible heating cable, the arrangement being such that the water receiving openings are relatively short.

6. A tubular electrical heating unit, comprising a flexible pipe for receiving water or other liquid, a tubular coupling mounted upon one end. of the flexible pipe and extending axially thereof and receiving the water from the pipe, a transverse web formed upon the tubular coupling and contiguous therewith andextending beyond the opposite sides of the coupling and provided near its opposite ends with bolt receiving openings, the transverse web having a water receiving opening which leads into the bore of the tubular coupling and passes through the contact face of the web, a flexible heating cable arranged within the flexible pipe and extending through the tubular coupling, the arrangement being'such that the transverse web of one unit may have its contact face arranged opposite the contact face of a transverse web of the companion unit and the Webs secured-together by bolts passing through the holes in the transverse webs, such bolts being-disposed'upon oppositesides of the flexible pipes and the water receiving openings being relatively short.

7. A tubular electrical heating unit, comprising a flexible tube for receiving water or other liquid and provided between its ends with an opening, couplings mounted upon the opposite ends of th flexible tube, a flexible heating cable arranged within the flexible tube and couplings,

a split coupling mounted upon the flexible tube adjacent to the opening and including opposed parts having recesses to receive the flexible tube, one part having a contact face and a transverse water receiving opening leadinginto the recess of such part for communication with the opening in the tub and also-passing through the contact face of such part, the contact face being adapted'to be arranged in opposed relation to a contact face of a companion coupling.

8. A tubular electrical heating unit, comprising a flexible tube forreceiving-water or other liquid and provided between its ends with an opening, couplings mounted upon the opposite ends of the flexible tube, a flexibl heating cable arrangedwithin the flexible tube and couplings, and a split coupling mounted upon the flexible tube adjacent to the opening and including opposed parts having recesses to receive the tube, one part having a face and a transverse Water receiving opening leading intothe recess of the part for communication with the opening in the tube and passing through the face of such part, said opening being screw threaded for receiving the screw threaded end of a'pipe.

GERRIT DE REFERENCES CITED The" following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,460,025 McLean June '26, 1923 2,041,071 Keegan et a1 May 19; 1936 2,075,686 Weigand Mar. 30, 1937 2,231,251 Chaneyv Feb. 11, 1941 

